814: 606 When the bright moon was there, it once shone on the colorful clouds returning.
814: 606 When the bright moon was there, it once shone on the colorful clouds returning.
“Ai Qian, thanks.”
Dawn Blossoms Plucked at Dusk.
The name was quite elegant.
This private restaurant was adjacent to the Pujiang River, well known in the East Sea and beloved by high-end business people.
Usually, you had to book a table at least three days in advance.
Inside a private and elegant dining room, Shao Shuhuai and Ai Qian were already seated.
“I should be the one thanking you,” Ai Qian said.
“Otherwise, I doubt I would have had a chance to eat here.”
Her light makeup concealed her pale complexion, and her apricot-colored knit sweater paired with grey-brown pencil trousers gave off a very casual vibe.
Indeed.
They were old classmates; it seemed there was no need to dress up deliberately.
“You saying that makes it seem like we’re strangers.”
Shao Shuhuai laughed.
“I’m afraid I might not be able to help you with the negotiation,” Ai Qian said in advance.
“Don’t worry, I understand,” Shao Shuhuai said nonchalantly.
“Just having you come today is already a huge help.
No matter the outcome, I owe you a favor.”
“And you say I’m being formal,” Ai Qian said with a light laugh.
“You’ve helped me a lot too, and so has Chu Yin.
Speaking like this, I owe you so many favors.”
Shao Shuhuai smiled broadly, “Right, sorry, I misspoke.
I’ll punish myself with a drink later.”
Both spoke politely, yet there seemed to be an undertone of distance.
“By the way, have you not been in contact with Jiang Chen since graduation?”
Shao Shuhuai asked seemingly offhandedly.
“Yes,”
Ai Qian replied naturally, “After graduation, everyone has their own life and career.”
Shao Shuhuai’s lips moved as if he wanted to say more but eventually decided against bringing up certain sensitive topics and nodded, “Yes, at graduation, everyone said we’d stay in touch, but what’s the reality?”
He sighed.
“Many of us probably have seen each other for the last time.”
The two made sporadic small talk.
“You sit here; I’ll go to the entrance to meet him.”
Seeing that it was about time, Shao Shuhuai stood up.
Before he reached the door, it was pushed open.
Jiang Chen walked in.
Shao Shuhuai stopped by the table, quickly mustering a warm smile, “General Jiang, please come in.”
Not pretending to be reserved, Ai Qian also looked at the once close-knit young man, offering a gentle smile as a greeting.
Jiang Chen’s expression remained calm as he entered the dining room.
“We can serve the food now.”
Shao Shuhuai quickly instructed the waiter at the door.
All seated, the three of them formed a triangle.
“Where’s Wei Chuyin?
Since we are all old classmates, why didn’t you invite her too?”
This opening remark immediately set the tone for the meal.
The slightly awkward atmosphere instantly relaxed.
“I did invite her, but she was busy,”
Ai Qian took over the conversation.
Jiang Chen nodded.
Both seemed quite natural, with nothing unusual, even making Shao Shuhuai almost believe they were really just ordinary classmates.
Even if it were ex-lovers who had amicably parted ways, being together again wouldn’t be this uneventful.
“How’s work?”
Jiang Chen asked amicably.
“Not bad, just a lot of overtime.”
“No wonder you look thinner.”
“Do I?”
Ai Qian looked down examining herself, “I think I’ve always been like this, probably just haven’t seen each other for a while.”
Jiang Chen nodded with a smile, “Perhaps.
I also have to thank Shao for organizing this meal.”
Seeing Jiang Chen look his way, Shao Shuhuai, unsure whether the remark was genuine or sarcastic, forced a smile, “General Jiang’s too kind.
Ai Qian and I were just saying how many classmates lose touch after graduation.
It’s fortunate we’re all still in East Sea.”
Jiang Chen nodded again, appearing youthful yet unfathomably composed, making it difficult to read his thoughts.
“We’re all old classmates, so don’t call me General Jiang.
Just call me Jiang Chen.”
Shao Shuhuai appeared pleasantly surprised, unsure of what to say, his acting so convincing it was hard to tell whether it was genuine.
“…Would you like something to drink?”
Though he had stopped addressing him as General Jiang, his demeanor remained deferential.
“Let’s just have soft drinks; we’re driving, so alcohol would be inconvenient.”
Shao Shuhuai nodded, obviously not insisting.
The waiter brought the dishes steadily.
Shao Shuhuai didn’t hold back, ordering expensive dishes that filled the rotating table completely.
“This must have cost a fortune.”
“I spent the company’s money.”
Jiang Chen said.
Shao Shuhuai truly was versatile, not at all like someone who studied engineering, beckoning, “Let’s enjoy the meal.”
Jiang Chen picked up his chopsticks.
“You two talk; just pretend I’m not here.”
As Ai Qian served herself, she said.
Jiang Chen chuckled, “So you’re purely here to freeload a meal?”
“Do you know how to speak?”
Ai Qian turned her head, “Can’t I come to see an old classmate?”
Shao Shuhuai, playing along with Ai Qian’s lead, steered the conversation to the main topic, “I’ve talked with Guang Yi already.
I’m very sorry about this matter, but I can’t defy the boss’s orders…”
Jiang Chen calmly stated, “Let’s both make a concession, five million, and we’ll consider the matter settled.”
Shao Shuhuai, who had endured hardships from Li Shuru, didn’t expect the other party to be so amenable.
Five million.
That was enough for him to answer to his boss.
“I don’t know what to say, let me just offer a drink on this note…”
He quickly poured himself a glass of water.
Jiang Chen gave him face and also drank a sip.
Like a business entertainment, with the goal achieved, Shao Shuhuai relaxed and kept finding topics to discuss with Jiang Chen.